Acer Nitro 16 AMD Two-minute evaluate

Writing opinions on gaming laptops with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 just like the Acer Nitro 16 AMD is an train in splitting hairs. Some are somewhat costlier, some are somewhat cheaper. Some high quality of life elements like modifications in refresh price or webcam decision differ from laptop computer to laptop computer. The heart, nevertheless, are very comparable.

The Acer Nitro 16 AMD, then, is quite a bit like most of the finest finances gaming laptops with its surprisingly stable efficiency whereas sitting on the decrease finish of the gaming laptop computer spectrum. In its case, it does have that sooner refresh price and a superb keyboard with vivid RGB backlighting. Nevertheless, its aesthetics are a bit extra aggressively gamer-centric than most of the finest gaming laptops, which have in latest instances taken classes from MacBooks and Ultrabooks.

That mentioned, it has quite a bit to supply, particularly for aggressive players on a finances. You’ll be able to absolutely go cheaper with fashions sporting older GPUs, however these will begin to present their limitations a lot earlier. Due to that, the Acer Nitro 16 AMD isn’t a tough laptop computer to suggest for the appropriate budget-conscious gamer.

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Worth & availability

• How a lot does it price? Beginning at $1,249.99 (about £988 / AU$1888)
• When is it accessible? Accessible now
• The place are you able to get it? Accessible within the US. Solely older fashions presently accessible in UK, and Australia

Acer is not any stranger to finances laptops and that’s actually the case with the Acer Nitro 16 AMD. Whether or not you go for probably the most primary mannequin with its $999.99 (about £788 / AU$1,471) price ticket and its AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS CPU, 8GB RAM, RTX 4050 GPU, and 512 GB SSD or the max model that clocks in at $1,799.99 (about £1,418 / AU$2,647) and has an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, 16GB RAM, RTX 4070 GPU, and 1 TB SSD, you’ll be dropping lower than loads of different gaming laptops.

A part of that’s the truth that Acer usually runs cheaper than different manufacturers and a part of that’s that AMD-equipped laptops are sometimes cheaper than equally specced Intel fashions. For comparability sake, the Lenovo LOQ 15 (AMD) I reviewed again in October begins at $1,189.99 / £1,080 / AU$2,199 for a mannequin that may be very comparable with a barely totally different CPU, the AMD Ryzen 5 7640S, and a barely smaller 15.6 inch display screen with a 144Hz refresh price. After all, it does are available a barely extra engaging bundle.

The one factor I’ll complain about right here is the pretty totally different variations of this laptop computer throughout totally different territories. These within the US have the widest choice whereas these within the UK have one AMD-equipped mannequin accessible that’s primarily the evaluate unit with a barely weaker Ryzen 5 processor. These in Australia have two – one similar to the evaluate configuration and one which’s nearly equivalent however with a Ryzen 7 7840HS CPU.

• Worth rating: 4.5 / 5

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Specs

The Acer Nitro 16 AMD, being a budget-oriented gaming laptop computer, comes with a reasonably restricted array of choices regardless of there being as much as 11 choices relying in your territory. 

The processors vary from the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS 3.30GHz chip to the AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS 4.0GHz one. RAM ranges from 8GB to 32GB. And, the GPU goes from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 to the 4070. 

Surprisingly, the weakest CPU isn’t within the most cost-effective mannequin as that one has much less RAM. And, the most costly mannequin with that AMD Ryzen 9 CPU doesn’t have the best quantity of RAM. 

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These are the specs for the Acer Nitro 16 AMD

Element	Base configuration	Overview configuration	Max configuration
Worth	$999.99 (about £788 / AU$1,470)	$1,199.99 / AU$2,099.99 (about £945)	$1,799.99 (about £1,400 / AU$2,650)
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS	AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS	AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop computer GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop computer GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop computer GPU
RAM	eight GB DDR5	16 GB DDR5	32GB DDR5
Storage	512 GB SSD	512 GB SSD	1 TB SSD
Display screen	16-inch 165Hz WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz refresh price	16-inch 165Hz WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz refresh price	16-inch 165Hz WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz refresh price
Ports	1x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack	2x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack, MicroSD	1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack
Wi-fi	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Digital camera	720p Webcam	720p Webcam	720p Webcam
Weight	5.95 lbs (2.70 kg)	5.95 lbs (2.70 kg)	6.17 lbs (2.80 kg)
Dimensions	14.eight x 11.02 x 1.04-1.1 inches (376 x 280 x 26.4-28mm)	14.eight x 11.02 x 1.04-1.1 inches (376 x 280 x 26.4-28mm)	14.eight x 11.02 x 1.04-1.1 inches (376 x 280 x 26.4-28mm)

Past the interior elements, there aren’t every other variables to fret about similar to colorways or shows. 

No matter which mannequin you get, you find yourself with a 16-inch 1900 x 1200p display screen with a 165Hz refresh price. 

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Design

• Chunkier, gamer-centric in design
• Some ports on the again
• 16:10 1920 x 1200 display screen with 165Hz refresh price

So far as aesthetics go, the Acer Nitro 16 AMD doesn’t pull its punches in terms of its gamer appears to be like. From the angled blue and reddish strains adorning the laptop computer lid in addition to the aggressive trying N (for “Nitro”) on the lid in addition to below the display screen, this laptop computer isn’t going to move as a non-gaming laptop computer the best way a Razer laptop computer can.

After all, it doesn’t assist that it’s fairly cumbersome, not solely in dimension however in weight, particularly contemplating that it weighs 5.95 lbs (2.70 kg). And, it actually appears to be like chunky. It’s over an inch thick – the identical as two MacBook Airs stacked on prime of one another.

Since this can be a finances gaming laptop computer, that kind issue is considerably to be anticipated. A minimum of Acer made certain to place loads of venting beneath and on the edges. Due to the aspect venting although, not all of the ports match on the edges as a few of them, particularly the facility, HDMI and USB-C ones are on the again. Some folks like having ports on the again for a cleaner look. I don’t as I discover them to be more durable to entry.

On the intense aspect, Acer included a 16:10 1920 x 1200 show with a speedy 165Hz refresh price (and 3ms response time), which is ideal for aggressive players. After all, it’s principally a barely bigger 1080p display screen so that you’re not going to step up in decision. Nevertheless, that’s by no means the case with finances gaming laptops. Nonetheless, it’s a superb display screen. Plus, it has a 125% sRGB coloration gamut and at the very least the evaluate unit got here with a Delta-E of 0.22 so you are able to do some photograph modifying right here. Its DCI-P3 protection is 89%, so it’s not as ideally suited for skilled video modifying.

So far as the keyboard and trackpad go, they’re greater than competent for normal use. The keyboard is simple to kind on with a pleasant textured really feel. I didn’t discover that I skilled any missed presses when gaming.

Extra attention-grabbing is the truth that it has full-color backlighting, although solely in 4 zones so that you received’t have the ability to alter key by key.

• Design rating: 4 / 5 

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Efficiency

• Excellent 1080p (nicely, 1200p) efficiency
• Sound high quality is respectable
• Webcam is disappointing

I’ve regularly been impressed by all of the laptops I’ve examined with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. And, that continues to be true with the Acer Nitro 16 AMD. Clearly, there’s a ceiling to that efficiency.

As an illustration, this laptop computer can obtain a 64.7 fps on Cyberpunk 2077 on Extremely settings, however as quickly as ray tracing is on, the fps drops like an anchor. Simply have a look at the benchmark for Far Cry 6 – it additionally will get 76 fps on Extremely.

In additional actual world testing, I’ve been in a position to run Starfield and Hogwarts Legacy at larger than anticipated settings. After all, that’s with ray tracing off and a tick or two off Extremely settings. Nonetheless, the outcomes have been very playable with only a tiny little bit of display screen tearing. Turning on Vsync takes care of that.

It’s vital to notice additionally that the Acer Nitro 16 AMD can also be working that show at a 165Hz refresh price so getting the outcomes is much more spectacular. Meaning that is excellent for aggressive players on a finances. To check, I ran Battlefield 2042 and had steady outcomes with none points at excessive settings.

So far as the sound goes, it’s not going to win any awards nevertheless it’s serviceable, simply missing some low finish. The webcam is rather less spectacular with its peak 720p decision. It additionally will get a bit grainy.

• Efficiency rating: 4 / 5

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Battery life

• Respectable battery life for normal use
• Not excellent when gaming

The battery lifetime of the Acer Nitro 16 AMD is about as attention-grabbing as an episode of the Nice American Baking Present (sure, it does exist). Sure, we should focus on. You’re not going to be wowed with its longevity. However, it’s okay in sure cases.

When utilizing it in a non-gaming capability, you may get somewhat over 9 hours of use. For a gaming laptop computer, that’s fairly good. After all, you’ll wish to be plugged in to truly sport as it will probably solely get slightly below two and a half hours when taking part in titles. Aside from some configurations of the Asus Rog Zephyrus, most gaming laptops haven’t cracked the battery code.

• Battery life rating: 3 / 5 

Do you have to purchase the Acer Nitro 16 AMD?

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HP Victus 16

Attributes	Notes	Score
Worth	The Acer Nitro 16 AMD is kind of the great worth if you would like a Nvidia Collection 4000 GPU in your gaming laptop computer.	Four 5 / 5
Design	Its aesthetics are a bit aggressive and it’s a bit chunky, nevertheless it comes with a show with a speedy 165Hz refresh price.	4 / 5
Efficiency	Flip off ray tracing and decrease the graphics settings only a hair and you may sort out nearly any sport on this machine.	4 / 5
Battery	Like most gaming laptops, the battery life is pretty underwhelming.	3 / 5
Common score	Strong efficiency at an reasonably priced worth is the secret right here. Plus, you get that sooner display screen.	4 / 5

Purchase it if…

You’re a aggressive gamer
With an RTX 4050 GPU and a display screen with a 165Hz refresh price, you’ll have the ability to sustain within the quickest aggressive video games, ability however.

You’re on a finances
You don’t must spend all that a lot comparatively to get high quality gaming efficiency. The one technique to go cheaper is to go console or with an older GPU which may not sustain.

Do not buy it if…

You desire a extra moveable gaming machine
It’s cumbersome and on the heavy aspect so the Acer Nitro 16 AMD isn’t a really perfect grab-and-go gaming machine, to not point out that the battery life isn’t all that nice both.

You’ll be able to splurge
The Acer Nitro 16 AMD is all about getting respectable high quality gaming at an honest worth. When you can spend extra nevertheless, you’ll discover some laptops from Acer and different producers that can far surpass its capabilities. 

Acer Nitro 16 AMD: Additionally contemplate

If our Acer Nitro 16 AMD evaluate has you contemplating different choices, listed here are two laptops to contemplate… 

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Element	Acer Nitro 16 AMD	MSI Katana 15 (2023)	Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
Worth	$1,199.99 / AU$2,099.99 (about £945)	Beginning at $999 (about £785 / AU$1,543)	Beginning at $1,499 / £1,599 / AU$2,599
CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS	From Intel Core i7-13620H	AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (Ryzen 7 5800H CPU in UK and AUS)
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop computer GPU	From NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050	Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 – RTX 3080
RAM	16 GB DDR5	From 16GB DDR5-5200MHz	16 – 32GB
Storage	512 GB SSD	From 1TB SSD	512 GB – 1TB SSD
Display screen	16-inch 165Hz WUXGA IPS (1920 x 1200), 165 Hz refresh price	15.6-inch FHD, IPS-Stage 144Hz	16″ UHD+, 16:10 (3840 x 2400 WQUXGA) / FHD+ 16:10 (1920 x 1200, WUXGA)
Ports	2x USB-C, 3x USB-A, HDMI, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 3.5mm Combo-Jack, MicroSD	1x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 1x USB-A 2.0, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm Combo-Jack	2x USB Sort-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB Sort-A, 1x MicroSD, 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, 1x RJ45 Ethernet, 1x Kensington lock
Wi-fi	IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1	Wi-fi Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.2	Wifi 6, Bluetooth
Digital camera	720p Webcam	720p	None
Weight	5.95 lbs (2.70 kg)	4.96 lbs (2.25 kg)	4.19lbs (1.9kg)
Dimensions	14.eight x 11.02 x 1.04-1.1 inches (376 x 280 x 26.4-28mm)	14.13 x 10.20 x 0.98 inches (359 x 259 x 25mm)	13.97 x 9.59 x 0.78 inches (355 x 243.5 x 19.9 mm)

MSI Katana 15 (2023)
The MSI Katana 15 (2023) may supply subpar battery life (like most gaming laptops) and look a bit outdated, nevertheless it’s a really perfect entry-level gaming laptop computer. That’s not solely because of its comparatively reasonably priced worth, however the truth that it nonetheless manages to supply good 1080p efficiency with a quick refresh price no much less at that accessible worth level.

Learn our full MSI Katana 15 (2023) evaluate

Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 is the closest one can get in a gaming laptop computer to that Ultrabook expertise. It’s pretty petite and lightweight weight with a good eight hour battery life. Plus, it has wonderful efficiency for a reasonably affordable worth.

Learn our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 evaluate

How I examined the HP Victus 16

Examined for a pair weeks

Pushed it as arduous as doable gaming-wise

Performed with numerous settings

I used the Acer Nitro 16 AMD for a pair weeks, taking part in numerous demanding video games like Starfield, Hogwarts Legacy, Battlefield 2042 and Cyberpunk 2077. Whereas doing so, I ran the video games at numerous settings, significantly on the highest ones with ray tracing on wherever doable, and took observe of the outcomes. I additionally examined every facet of the laptop computer from the keyboard and trackpad to the webcam and audio system.

After spending time with the Acer Nitro 16 AMD, it’s clear that that is meant to be a budget-conscious mannequin for those who care about aggressive gaming or for those who need one thing reasonably priced whereas nonetheless geared up with a present technology GPU.

I’ve spent the previous few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and in any other case, the place I’ve gotten a really feel for what to search for and the best way to put a chunk of package by its paces to see whether or not it’s definitely worth the suggestion. 

Learn extra about how we take a look at

First reviewed January 2024